|
First responders are our front line of defense in an emergency. While others move away from danger, these brave men and women rush into harm’s way to protect the lives of others. Ten years ago when the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City was bombed, we watched our first responders take great risks to save the lives of people still in the building. And on September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centers, local police officers and fire fighters helped approximately 15,000 men, women, and children escape safely. Sadly, hundreds of brave first responders lost their lives while serving others.
It is in difficult situations that our first responders shine the brightest, but it is there every day duties that make them the backbone of local communities. Our police, fire and emergency medical personnel are working each day to keep us safe. Congress is committed to providing these patriots with the tools necessary to perform at their best – which ultimately means saving lives, minimizing danger and recovering from natural and man-made disasters. Last week the House passed two pieces of legislation, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act and the Homeland Security Authorization Act, which will help our first responders better serve their communities.
The Homeland Security funding bill will provide $30.85 billion for security related programs across the country, including $3.6 directly to first responders. The funds will be distributed in basic formula grants, firefighter assistance grants, law enforcement terrorism grants, emergency managing grants and first responder training grants. The Homeland Security authorization bill also helps ensure that American citizens are safe, and that the federal agencies charged with maintaining our security will have the resources they need to do their jobs. These bills must now be considered in the Senate.
The House recently passed another piece of legislation, the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005, which also helps send funding to our first responders. This legislation requires the establishment of measurable goals for first responders, and encourages states and localities to pool resources for regional benefit, all while following the valued recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The legislation also streamlines terrorism preparedness grants to help to eliminate unnecessary delays and the waste of valuable homeland security dollars. Instead of waiting until funds are received to begin planning on how to spend them, the homeland security plans of those receiving grants must be in place before they are awarded taxpayers money. This legislation also must still be considered in the Senate.
I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to send these important pieces of legislation to the President for his signature. Our first responders work to ensure our safety and it is vital that we send them the resources they need to do that job effectively and efficiently.
|
|
